Ronnie Screwvala Becomes Bollywood’s Richest, Surpasses Shah Rukh Khan
In a surprising twist in the entertainment world, film producer and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala has emerged as the wealthiest person in Bollywood, with a net worth reported at $1.5 billion — surpassing not only actors like Shah Rukh Khan but also heavyweight producers such as Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.
According to the latest Hurun India Rich List 2025 and supporting reports from Forbes, Screwvala’s fortune is valued at approximately ₹13,300 crore. This places him ahead of Shah Rukh Khan, whose net worth is estimated around ₹12,500 crore, and well beyond media figures like Karan Johar (₹1,880 crore) and the Bachchan family (₹1,630 crore).
Screwvala’s journey is unconventional. He began his entrepreneurial career selling toothbrushes in the late 1970s. With the arrival of color television in India, he seized the opportunity to build a cable television network. In 1990, he founded UTV, which evolved into a major content and production house.
Under UTV Motion Pictures, he backed acclaimed films such as Swades, Rang De Basanti, Jodhaa Akbar, Fashion, and Barfi!. In 2012, he sold UTV to Disney in a billion-dollar deal and later returned to cinema with RSVP Movies, producing hits like Kedarnath, Uri, The Sky Is Pink, and Sam Bahadur.
Beyond films, Screwvala has diversified interests. He co-founded the ed-tech platform upGrad, and is involved in investment through Unilazer Ventures, along with ventures in sports and media. These diversified business interests have significantly contributed to his wealth.
Screwvala’s ascendancy reveals a shift in how wealth in Bollywood is structured. No longer are top actors or heirs to film dynasties guaranteed to dominate the financial leaderboard. Instead, strategic investments, entrepreneurship, and cross-industry reach have become critical.
While Shah Rukh Khan remains the richest actor, and continues to amass assets through film, endorsements, and his stake in Kolkata Knight Riders, it is Screwvala who currently holds the top spot in Bollywood’s wealth rankings.
According to the latest Hurun India Rich List 2025 and supporting reports from Forbes, Screwvala’s fortune is valued at approximately ₹13,300 crore. This places him ahead of Shah Rukh Khan, whose net worth is estimated around ₹12,500 crore, and well beyond media figures like Karan Johar (₹1,880 crore) and the Bachchan family (₹1,630 crore).
How Screwvala Built His Empire
Screwvala’s journey is unconventional. He began his entrepreneurial career selling toothbrushes in the late 1970s. With the arrival of color television in India, he seized the opportunity to build a cable television network. In 1990, he founded UTV, which evolved into a major content and production house.
Under UTV Motion Pictures, he backed acclaimed films such as Swades, Rang De Basanti, Jodhaa Akbar, Fashion, and Barfi!. In 2012, he sold UTV to Disney in a billion-dollar deal and later returned to cinema with RSVP Movies, producing hits like Kedarnath, Uri, The Sky Is Pink, and Sam Bahadur.
Beyond films, Screwvala has diversified interests. He co-founded the ed-tech platform upGrad, and is involved in investment through Unilazer Ventures, along with ventures in sports and media. These diversified business interests have significantly contributed to his wealth.
What This Means for the Industry
Screwvala’s ascendancy reveals a shift in how wealth in Bollywood is structured. No longer are top actors or heirs to film dynasties guaranteed to dominate the financial leaderboard. Instead, strategic investments, entrepreneurship, and cross-industry reach have become critical.
While Shah Rukh Khan remains the richest actor, and continues to amass assets through film, endorsements, and his stake in Kolkata Knight Riders, it is Screwvala who currently holds the top spot in Bollywood’s wealth rankings.